Light-emitting module and camera module

ABSTRACT

The present embodiment relates to a light-emitting module comprising: a substrate; a light source which is arranged on the substrate and emits laser light; a holder arranged on the substrate; a diffuser lens arranged in the holder and over the light source; and a diffuser ring for supporting the diffuser lens, wherein the diffuser lens comprises a plurality of microlenses, and the holder comprises an opening formed above the diffuser lens and a stopping protrusion for inhibiting the diffuser lens from being separated through the opening.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. national stage application of InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/KR2019/011826, filed Sep. 11, 2019, whichclaims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Korean Application No.10-2018-0109796, filed Sep. 13, 2018, the disclosures of each of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present embodiment relates to a light emitting module and a cameramodule.

BACKGROUND ART

Recent smartphones are used to perform functions requiring security.Therefore, there is a trend of employing a higher level of securitymeasures for smart phones.

Conventionally, a security means using a password or a pattern of aspecific shape has been used, but in recent years, a security meansusing fingerprint recognition is widely spread.

Furthermore, research on a security means using iris recognition is inprogress. Since the iris has more complex unique patterns thanfingerprints, it is less likely to be forged than fingerprints and thushas high security. In addition, fingerprint recognition has adisadvantage in that it is impossible to recognize if you are wearinggloves or if there is a foreign substance on the fingerprint because thesurface of the fingerprint must be in direct contact with the sensorsurface, however, iris recognition which is a non-contact method has anadvantage in that recognition is possible even when wearing glasses orcontact lenses. Facial recognition also has the same advantages as iriscognition.

However, mounting a separate device other than a camera for irisrecognition and facial recognition is a factor that increases the unitprice, and it is a factor that hinders making smartphones light, thin,short, and small, so camera modules for iris recognition and facialrecognition are not widely used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Subject

The present embodiment is intended to provide a light emitting modulehaving a low shoulder height suitable for making a smart phone light,thin, short and small.

Further, the present invention is intended to provide a light emittingmodule in which a diffuser lens is inhibited from being separated upwardby comprising a structure in which the diffuser lens is coupled by beinginserted from the lower side of the holder.

It is intended to provide a camera module comprising the light emittingmodule and a light receiving module for sensing light emitted from thelight emitting module.

Technical Solution

A light emitting module according to the present embodiment comprises: asubstrate; a light source which is disposed on the substrate and emitslaser light; a holder disposed on the substrate; a diffuser lensdisposed in the holder and over the light source; and a diffuser ringfor supporting the diffuser lens, wherein the diffuser lens comprises aplurality of micro lenses, and the holder may comprise an opening formedabove the diffuser lens and a stopping protrusion for inhibiting thediffuser lens from being separated through the opening.

The upper surface of the diffuser lens may be larger than the size ofthe opening.

At least a portion of the opening may be defined by at least a portionof the stopping protrusion.

The diffuser ring may comprise a support portion being in contact with alower portion of the diffuser lens, and a ring portion being protrudedfrom an outer circumference of the support portion.

The diffuser lens may comprise a lens portion and a flange portiondisposed on an outer circumference of the lens portion.

The diffuser lens may comprise a protrusion formed by being protrudedfrom a portion of a lower surface of the flange portion.

The protrusion may have a ring shape.

A gap may be formed in at least a portion between the diffuser lens andthe diffuser ring by the protrusion.

The protrusion may be formed adjacent to the inner circumferentialsurface than the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion.

The diffuser ring may comprise a recess formed on the support portionand coupled to the protrusion.

The diffuser lens may comprise a protruding portion for a couplingguide, the holder may comprise a groove corresponding to the protrusion,and at least a portion of the protruding portion of the diffuser lensmay be disposed in the groove of the holder.

The diffuser lens may comprise a first portion being overlapped with thestopping protrusion in a vertical direction, and a second portion beingoverlapped with the opening in the vertical direction.

The stopping protrusion of the holder may be disposed between thediffuser lens and the opening.

The stopping protrusion of the holder may contact a portion of an uppersurface of the diffuser lens.

The diffuser lens and the diffuser ring may be separated from eachother.

The diffuser lens may be inserted upward in a vertical direction to becoupled to the holder.

The upward direction may be a direction from a lower portion of theholder toward an upper portion of the holder.

A portion of the diffuser lens may be overlapped with the holder in theupward direction.

The portion of the diffuser lens may be overlapped with the holder andthe diffuser ring in the vertical direction.

The holder comprises a barrel portion on which the diffuser lens isdisposed, and the stopping protrusion of the holder is extended from thebarrel portion toward the inner side and is disposed on the diffuserlens, and the portion of the diffuser lens may be overlapped with thestopping protrusion of the holder in the upward direction.

At least a portion of the diffuser ring may be disposed on the barrelportion, and the diffuser ring may be disposed below the diffuser lens.

The holder comprises a second groove formed on a surface of the diffuserring facing an upper surface of the ring portion, and the second grooveof the holder may form a passage connected to an inner space between theholder and the substrate.

The second groove of the holder may be a passage connecting the innerspace and the outer space of the holder.

The outer circumference of the diffuser lens may comprise four planes,and the barrel portion of the holder may comprise protrusions protrudingfrom the inner circumference of the barrel portion and being in contactwith each of the four planes of the diffuser lens.

Two of the four planes may be disposed in the opposite side from eachother.

The light emitting module further comprises a shield can comprising anupper plate and a side plate being extended downward from the upperplate, the holder comprises a body portion disposed on an upper surfaceof the substrate, a barrel portion being protruded from the uppersurface of the body portion, and a first groove being formed on theupper surface of the body portion, an adhesive for fixing the upperplate of the shield can to the holder is disposed in the first groove ofthe holder, and the first groove may comprise a first portion beingextended in the first direction among the horizontal directions, and asecond portion being extended in a second direction perpendicular to thefirst direction among the horizontal directions.

The shield can covers the body portion of the holder and may beelectrically connected to the substrate.

The diffuser lens comprises a lens portion disposed on an optical pathof light being emitted from the light source, and a flange portiondisposed on an outer circumference of the lens portion, an adhesiveaccommodating portion being connected to the outer circumference of theflange portion of the diffuser lens is formed on a lower surface of theflange portion of the diffuser lens, and an adhesive fixing the diffuserlens to the holder may be disposed in the adhesive accommodating portionof the flange portion of the diffuser lens.

The diffuser lens and the diffuser ring may be integrally formed.

The diffuser lens comprises a protruding portion being protruded from anouter circumference of the diffuser lens, the diffuser ring comprises aprotruding portion being protruded from an outer circumference of thediffuser ring, the holder comprises a groove corresponding to each ofthe protruding portion of the diffuser lens and the protruding portionof the diffuser ring, and the protruding portion of the diffuser lensand the protruding portion of the diffuser ring may be correspondinglydisposed in a vertical direction.

The camera module according to the present embodiment comprises asubstrate; a holder comprising a partition wall and disposed on thesubstrate; a light source disposed on one side of the partition wall onthe substrate and emitting a laser light; a sensor disposed on thesubstrate on the other side of the partition wall; a lens coupled to theholder and disposed on the sensor; a diffuser lens coupled to the holderand disposed on the light source; and a diffuser ring supporting thediffuser lens, wherein the diffuser lens comprises a plurality of microlenses, and wherein the holder may comprise an opening formed on thediffuser lens and a stopping protrusion inhibiting the diffuser lensfrom being separated through the opening.

The sensor may detect light in the wavelength band of the light source.

The camera module further comprises a filter disposed between the lensand the sensor and passing light in a wavelength band of light emittedby the light source, wherein the lens is fixed in the barrel, the barrelis screw-coupled to the holder, the filter is coupled to the holder, theholder comprises a third groove formed in a surface opposite to theupper surface of the filter, and the third groove of the holder may forma passage connected to the inner space between the substrates.

The holder comprises a first opening and a second opening, the diffuserlens is inserted and coupled to the first opening of the holder in afirst direction, and the lens may be inserted into and coupled to thesecond opening of the holder in a second direction which is opposite tothe first direction.

The diffuser lens is inserted from the lower portion of the holder tothe upper portion of the holder and coupled to the first opening of theholder, the lens is inserted from the upper portion of the holder to thelower portion of the holder and coupled to the second opening of theholder, and the stopping protrusion of the holder may be caught on theupper end of the diffuser lens.

Advantageous Effects

The present embodiment may be suitable in making smartphones light,thin, short, and small through the low shoulder height of the cameramodule.

In the present embodiment, a phenomenon in which the diffuser lens isremoved off in the upper direction of the camera module can beinhibited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera module according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the camera module according tothe present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a bottom exploded perspective view of the camera moduleaccording to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cab and a tape for packaging a cameramodule according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a diffuser lens module of a cameramodule according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a diffuser lens module of a camera moduleaccording to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a diffuser lens of a camera module according tothe present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of a diffuser lens of a cameramodule according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a lens and a barrel of a camera moduleaccording to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a holder of a camera module accordingto the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a holder of a camera module according to thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a diffuser lens of a camera moduleaccording to a modified embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module to which a diffuserlens according to a modified embodiment is applied.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

However, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited tosome embodiments to be described, but may be implemented in variousforms, and if it is within the scope of the technical idea of thepresent invention, one or more of the components may be selected,combined, and substituted between the embodiments for use.

In addition, terms (comprising technical and scientific terms) used inthe embodiments of the present invention are generally understood bythose of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the presentinvention belongs unless explicitly defined and described, and it can beinterpreted as a meaning, and terms generally used, such as termsdefined in a dictionary, may be interpreted in consideration of themeaning in the context of the related technology.

In addition, terms used in the embodiments of the present invention arefor describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the presentinvention.

In the present specification, the singular form may comprise the pluralform unless specifically stated in the phrase, and when described as “atleast one (or more than one) of A and B and C”, it may contain one ormore of all combinations that can be combined with A, B, and C.

In addition, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), and the likemay be used in describing the components of the embodiment of thepresent invention. These terms are only for distinguishing the componentfrom other components, and are not limited to the nature, order, ororder of the component by the term.

And, when a component is described as being ‘connected’, ‘coupled’ or‘interconnected’ to another component, the component is not onlydirectly connected, coupled or interconnected to the other component,but may also comprise cases of being ‘connected’, ‘coupled’, or‘interconnected’ due that another component between that othercomponents.

In addition, when it is described as being formed or disposed in the“top (upper side) or bottom (lower side)” of each component, the top(upper side) or bottom (lower side) not only comprises a case when thetwo components are in direct contact with each other but also comprisesa case where one or more other components are formed or disposed betweenthe two components. In addition, when expressed as “top (upper side) orbottom (lower side)”, the meaning of not only an upward direction butalso a downward direction based on one component may be comprised.

Hereinafter, a configuration of an optical apparatus according to thepresent embodiment will be described.

The optical apparatus may be any one of a mobile phone, a mobile phone,a smart phone, a portable smart device, a digital camera, a laptopcomputer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), and a navigation device.However, the type of the optical apparatus is not limited thereto, andany device for capturing an image or a picture may be comprised in theoptical apparatus.

The optical apparatus may comprise a main body. The main body may formthe appearance of the optical apparatus. The main body may accommodate acamera module. A display unit may be disposed on one surface of the mainbody. For example, the display unit and the camera module may bedisposed on one surface of the main body.

The optical apparatus may comprise a display unit. The display unit maybe disposed on one surface of the main body. The display unit may outputa result detected by the camera module. The display unit may be a touchscreen.

The optical apparatus may comprise a camera module. The camera modulemay be a time of flight (TOF) module or a TOF device. The camera modulemay be a TOF camera module or a TOF camera device. The camera module maybe an optical device. The camera module can provide TOF 3D detectiontechnology. The camera module may be used for facial recognition and/oriris recognition. That is, the camera module may provide a facialrecognition function and/or an iris recognition function to the opticalapparatus. The camera module may provide a biometric authenticationfunction for security. The camera module may be installed in a main bodyof an optical apparatus. A portion of a holder 300 of the camera moduleand a shield can 500 are accommodated in the main body of an opticalapparatus, and a portion and the like of a diffuser lens 410 of thecamera module and a portion of a lens 700 may be protruded from the mainbody of the optical apparatus.

In the present embodiment, it may comprise a structure coupled in amanner that a diffuser lens 410 disposed protrudedly from the main bodyof the optical apparatus is inserted from the lower direction (innerside) of the holder 300 so that it is not removed off toward the outerside. In the present embodiment, a phenomenon in which the diffuser lens410 inserted into the holder 300 from the lower side (inner side) iscaught by a stopping protrusion (protruding portion) 330 at the upperend of a holder 300, thereby being removed off toward the outer side canbe inhibited.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the camera module will be describedwith reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera module according to the presentembodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the camera moduleaccording to the present embodiment, FIG. 3 is a bottom explodedperspective view of the camera module according to the presentembodiment, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X ofFIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cab and a tape for packaging acamera module according to the present embodiment, FIG. 6 is aperspective view of a diffuser lens module of a camera module accordingto the present embodiment, FIG. 7 is a side view of a diffuser lensmodule of a camera module according to the present embodiment, FIG. 8 isa plan view of a diffuser lens of a camera module according to thepresent embodiment, FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of a diffuserlens of a camera module according to the present embodiment, FIG. 10 isa cross-sectional view taken along line Y-Y of FIG. 8, FIG. 11 is aperspective view of a lens and a barrel of a camera module according tothe present embodiment, FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a holder of acamera module according to the present embodiment, FIG. 13 is a bottomview of a holder of a camera module according to the present embodiment,FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a diffuser lens of a camera moduleaccording to a modified embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectionalview of a camera module to which a diffuser lens according to a modifiedembodiment is applied.

The camera module may comprise a light emitting module and a lightreceiving module. However, since the substrate 100, the holder 300, andthe shield can 500 are integrally formed and used in common with thelight emitting module and the light receiving module, it may bedifficult to distinguish the light emitting module and the lightreceiving module. In this case, each of the above components may beunderstood as a component of each of the light emitting module and thelight receiving module. However, as a modified embodiment, the commoncomponents of the substrate 100, the holder 300, and the shield can 500,and the like may be separately provided to the light emitting module andthe light receiving module.

The camera module may comprise a light emitting module. The lightemitting module can emit light. The light emitted from the lightemitting module may hit a subject disposed in front direction (upperdirection) of the light emitting module and be reflected. The lightemitting module may comprise a substrate 100, a light source 200, aholder 300, a diffuser lens 410, a diffuser ring 420, and a shield can500.

The camera module may comprise a light receiving module. The lightreceiving module can detect light. The light receiving module may detectlight emitted from the light emitting module and reflected by hittingthe subject. Through this, the light receiving module may recognizedepth information (3D information) and/or pattern information of thesubject. The light receiving module may comprise a substrate 100, asensor 600, a filter 800, a holder 300, a lens 700, a barrel 710, and ashield can 500.

The camera module may comprise a substrate 100. The substrate 100 maycomprise a printed circuit board (PCB). The substrate 100 may beconnected to the connector 920 through a FPCB 910. The substrate 100 andthe FPCB 910 may be formed of a rigid flexible PCB (RFPCB). A lightsource 200 and a sensor 600 may be disposed in the substrate 100. Thesubstrate 100 may be disposed below the holder 300. The substrate 100may comprise a terminal 110. The terminal 110 of the substrate 100 maybe coupled to a coupling portion 530 of the shield can 500. The terminal110 of the substrate 100 may comprise a plurality of terminals. Theterminal 110 of the substrate 100 may comprise two terminals.

The camera module may comprise a light source 200. The light source 200may be disposed on the substrate 100. The light source 200 may bedisposed in contact with the substrate 100. The light source 200 may bedisposed above the substrate 100. The light source 200 may emit a laserlight. The light source 200 may be disposed in the substrate 100. Thelight source 200 may be disposed on one side of a partition wall 340 ofthe holder 300 on the substrate 100. The light source 200 may emitlight. The light source 200 may emit infrared rays. The light source 200may comprise an infrared laser. The light source 200 may comprise asemiconductor laser diode. The light source 200 may comprise a verticalcavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). Light emitted from the lightsource 200 may be emitted to form a substantially rectangular crosssection while passing through the diffuser lens 410. The shape of thecross section of the light emitted from the light source 200 and passedthrough the diffuser lens 410 may correspond to the shape of theeffective area of the sensor 600. However, the size of the cross-sectionof the light emitted from the light source 200 and passed through thediffuser lens 410 may be larger than the size of the effective area ofthe sensor 600 by a predetermined size.

The camera module may comprise a holder 300. The holder 300 may bedisposed on the substrate 100. The holder 300 may be disposed in contactwith the substrate 100. The holder 300 may be disposed above thesubstrate 100. The holder 300 may be disposed above the substrate 100.The holder 300 may be disposed in the substrate 100. The holder 300 maybe fixed to the substrate 100 by an adhesive. The holder 300 mayaccommodate a light source 200, a diffuser lens module 400, a sensor600, and a filter 800 therein. The holder 300 may be a plastic injectionproduct. The holder 300 may be formed by injection.

The holder 300 may comprise a first opening and a second opening. Theholder 300 may comprise a first opening in which the diffuser lens 410is disposed and a second opening in which the lens 700 is disposed. Thediffuser lens 410 is inserted in the first direction into the firstopening of the holder 300 and coupled thereto, and the lens 700 may beinserted into the second opening of the holder 300 in a second directionwhich is an opposite direction to the first direction and coupledthereto. The diffuser lens 410 is inserted from the lower portion of theholder 300 toward the upper portion of the holder 300 and coupled to thefirst opening of the holder 300, and the lens 700 may be inserted fromthe upper portion of the holder 300 toward the lower portion of theholder 300 and coupled to the second opening of the holder 300. Theholder 300 may comprise a stopping protrusion 330 supporting the upperend of the diffuser lens 410 and a bottom surface supporting the lowerend of the lens 700. The stopping protrusion 330 of the holder 300 maybe caught on the upper end of the diffuser lens 410. A filter 800 may bedisposed on the opposite side of the bottom surface of the holder 300.The holder 300 may comprise a stopping protrusion disposed between thelens 700 and the filter 800.

The holder 300 may comprise a body portion 310. The body portion 310 maybe disposed on an upper surface of the substrate 100. The body portion310 may be coupled to the diffuser lens module 400. The body portion 310may be coupled to the barrel 710 of the lens 700. The portion 310 may becoupled to the filter 800.

The body portion 310 may comprise a sidewall 312. The sidewall 312 maybe disposed on the substrate 100. The sidewall 312 may comprise aplurality of sidewalls. The sidewall 312 may comprise four sidewalls.The sidewall 312 may comprise a first sidewall, a second sidewalldisposed opposite the first sidewall, and a third sidewall and a fourthsidewall disposed opposite to each other between the first sidewall andthe second sidewall.

The body portion 310 may comprise a step portion 313. The step portion313 may be formed by being protruded outward at the lower end portion ofthe sidewall 312. The step portion 313 may be overlapped with the sideplate 520 of the shield can 500 in a vertical direction. The stepportion 313 may provide an effect of increasing the area of the lowersurface of the holder 300. Through this, the contact area (area adheredby the adhesive) between the holder 300 and the substrate 100 iswidened, so that a phenomenon in which the holder 300 is removed offfrom the substrate 100 may be reduced. In the present embodiment, thestep portion 313 and the side plate 520 of the shield can 500 are spacedapart, but in a modified embodiment, the side plate 520 of the shieldcan 500 may be seated on the step portion 313.

The body portion 310 may comprise a step 314. The step 314 may be formedon the outer surface of the sidewall 312. The step 314 may comprise abottom surface that is disposed to look upward. At this time, theadhesive fixing the holder 300 and the shield can 500 may be placed downfrom the upper surface of the body portion 310 of the holder 300 alongthe outer surface of the sidewall 312 to the bottom surface of the step314.

The body portion 310 may comprise a protrusion 315. The protrusion 315may be formed on the inner circumferential surface of the holder 300.The protrusion 315 may be formed on a surface corresponding to thediffuser ring 420 of the inner circumferential surface of the holder 300to support the diffuser ring 420. The protrusion 315 may be in surfacecontact with the outer surface of the diffuser ring 420. Through this,the protrusion 315 may inhibit a phenomenon in which the diffuser ring420 is being rotated. That is, the protrusion 315 can fix the diffuserring 420 in the correct position.

The body portion 310 may comprise a groove 316. The groove 316 may beformed at a position corresponding to the protruding portion 423 formedin the diffuser ring 420. The groove 316 may accommodate at least aportion of the protruding portion 423 of the diffuser ring 420.

The holder 300 may comprise a barrel portion 320. At least a portion ofthe diffuser lens 410 and the diffuser ring 420 may be disposed in thebarrel portion 320. The barrel portion 320 may accommodate the diffuserlens 410. The barrel portion 320 may be protruded from the upper surfaceof the body portion 310.

In the present embodiment, the body portion 310 of the holder 300forming the shoulder of the optical device and the upper plate 510 ofthe shield can 500 may be disposed at a position lower than the upperend of the barrel portion 320. Through this structure, even when theoptical device is mounted on an optical apparatus such as a smart phone,the barrel portion 320 may be protruded from the main body of theoptical apparatus.

The barrel portion 320 may comprise a protrusion 321. The protrusion 321may be protruded from the inner circumference of the barrel portion 320.The protrusion 321 may be in contact with each of the four planes 413 ofthe diffuser lens 410. The protrusion 321 may be formed on four surfacescorresponding to the four planes 413 of the diffuser lens 410 among theinner circumferential surfaces of the barrel portion 320, respectively.For example, the protrusions 321 may be formed in a total of eight, twoon each of four surfaces of the inner circumferential surface of thebarrel portion 320. In a modified embodiment, the protrusion 321 may beformed in a total of four, one on each of the four surfaces of the innercircumferential surface of the barrel portion 320. The outer surface ofthe protrusion 321 may be in surface contact with the plane 413 of thediffuser lens 410. Accordingly, the outer surface of the protrusion 321may also comprise a plane. Through such a structure, the protrusion 321of the barrel portion 320 may prevent inhibit a phenomenon in which thediffuser lens 410 is being rotated. That is, the protrusion 321 of thebarrel portion 320 may fix the diffuser lens 410 in the correctposition.

The barrel portion 320 may comprise a step 322. The step 322 may beformed on the outer side surface of the barrel portion 320. Since thewidth of the upper portion of the barrel portion 320 becomes narrowerthrough the step 322, the size of a portion being protruded to theoutside of the main body of an optical apparatus such as a smart phonemay be reduced.

The barrel portion 320 may comprise a groove 323. The groove 323 may beformed at a position corresponding to the protruding portion 414 of thediffuser lens 410. The groove 323 may accommodate at least a portion ofthe protruding portion 414 of the diffuser lens 410.

The holder 300 may comprise a stopping protrusion 330. The holder 300may comprise an opening formed on the diffuser lens 410 and a stoppingprotrusion 330 that inhibits the diffuser lens 410 from being separatedthrough the opening. At this time, at least a portion of the opening maybe defined by at least a portion of the stopping protrusion 330. Theopening may be an opening defined by at least a portion of the stoppingprotrusion 330. The stopping protrusion 330 may form a portion of theopening. The stopping protrusion 330 may be formed so that the diffuserlens 410 is not removed off. The stopping protrusion 330 may be extendedinwardly from the barrel portion 320. The stopping protrusion 330 may bedisposed above the diffuser lens 410. The stopping protrusion 330 mayprovide a hole so that a light passing through the diffuser lens 410 canpass through. The stopping protrusion 330 may be disposed between thediffuser lens 410 and the opening. The stopping protrusion 330 may be incontact with a portion of an upper surface of the diffuser lens 410.

In the present embodiment, the holder 300 may comprise a hole formed bythe inner circumference of the stopping protrusion 330. The size of thehole of the holder 300 in the horizontal direction may be smaller thanthe size of the upper end of the diffuser lens 410 in a correspondingdirection. Through this, the stopping protrusion 330 of the holder 300may provide a stopping protrusion for the diffuser lens 410. Therefore,simply by inserting the diffuser lens 410 from the lower side of theholder 300, the diffuser lens 410 may be in contact with the stoppingprotrusion 330 to be placed in a correct position. An adhesive may beapplied between the diffuser lens 410 and the inner circumferentialsurface of the barrel portion 320.

The holder 300 may comprise a partition wall 340. The partition wall 340may partition a space between the holder 300 and the substrate 100. Thepartition wall 340 may divide the space between the holder 300 and thesubstrate 100 into a first space in which the light source 200 isdisposed and a second space in which the sensor 600 is disposed. Throughthis, it is possible to block the light emitted from the light source200 from directly entering the sensor 600 without passing through thediffuser lens 410. The partition wall 340 may connect two sidewalls 312disposed opposite to each other.

The holder 300 may comprise a first groove 350. The first groove 350 maybe formed on an upper surface of the body portion 310. An adhesive thatfixes the upper plate 510 of the shield can 500 to the holder 300 may bedisposed in the first groove 350 of the holder 300. The first groove 350of the holder 300 may be an adhesive receiving groove in which theadhesive is disposed. The first groove 350 may improve the fixing powerof the adhesive. That is, even if an external force acts on the shieldcan 500 as the adhesive is disposed in the first groove 350, aphenomenon in which the shield can 500 is removed off may be minimized.

In the present embodiment, the first groove 350 of the holder 300 maycomprise a first portion 351 and a second portion 352. In more detail,the first groove 350 of the holder 300 may comprise a first portion 351whose length in the first direction is longer than the length in thesecond direction perpendicular to the first direction among thehorizontal directions, and a second portion 352 whose length in thesecond direction is longer than a length in the first direction. At thistime, the first direction may be an x-axis direction, and the seconddirection may be a y-axis direction. That is, the first groove 350 ofthe holder 300 may comprise a portion in which an adhesive providing afixing force to the shield can 500 is accommodated when the shield can500 is pressed in the x-axis direction, and a portion in which anadhesive providing a fixing force to the shield can 500 is accommodatedwhen the shield can 500 is pressed in the y-axis direction. Accordingly,even if an external force acts on the shield can 500 in any of thehorizontal directions, a phenomenon in which the shield can 500 isremoved off from the holder 300 can be minimized. The first groove 350may be depressed to a deeper depth than the fifth groove 392.

The holder 300 may comprise a second groove 360. The second groove 360may be formed on a surface of the diffuser ring 420 opposite to theupper surface of the ring portion 422. The second groove 360 maycomprise a plurality of grooves. The second groove 360 of the holder 300may form a passage between the upper surface of the ring portion 422 ofthe diffuser ring 420 and the holder 300. The second groove 360 of theholder 300 may form a passage connecting the inner space between theholder 300 and the substrate 100 and the outer space of the holder 300.Through this, the second groove 360 of the holder 300 may provide a venthole, which is a passage through which gas generated in the inner spacebetween the substrate 100 and the holder 300 is discharged, in theprocess of curing the adhesive bonding the substrate 100 and the holder300.

The holder 300 may comprise a third groove 370. The third groove 370 maybe formed on a surface facing the upper surface of the filter 800. Thethird groove 370 may comprise a plurality of grooves. The third groove370 of the holder 300 may form a passage between the upper surface ofthe filter 800 and the holder 300. The third groove 370 of the holder300 may form a passage connecting the inner space between the holder 300and the substrate 100 and the outer space of the holder 300. Throughthis, the third groove 370 of the holder 300 may provide a vent hole,which is a passage through which gas generated in an inner space betweenthe substrate 100 and the holder 300 is discharged, in the process ofcuring the adhesive bonding the substrate 100 and the holder 300. In thepresent embodiment, the space between the holder 300 and the substrate100 is divided into a first space and a second space by the partitionwall 340, the gas in the first space may be discharged through thesecond groove 360 of the holder 300, and gas in the second space may bedischarged through the third groove 370 of the holder 300.

The holder 300 may comprise a lens coupling portion 380. The lens 700and the barrel 710 may be coupled to the lens coupling unit 380. Thelens coupling portion 380 may comprise a groove into which the barrel710 is inserted. The lens coupling portion 380 may comprise the barrel710 or a bottom surface with which the lower end of the lens 700 is incontact. Although not shown in the drawing, a thread corresponding to athread 711 of the barrel 710 may be formed on an inner circumferentialsurface of the lens coupling portion 380. However, the thread may not beformed. The lens coupling portion 380 may comprise a protruding portionprotruding from an upper surface of the body portion 310. The lenscoupling portion 380 may comprise a groove 381 formed on an uppersurface of the protruding portion. An adhesive for bonding the barrel710 and the holder 300 may be applied to the groove 381 of the lenscoupling portion 380. The groove 381 may be disposed in a diagonaldirection other than the x-axis and y-axis directions in the horizontaldirection.

In the present embodiment, the upper surface of the body portion 310 maybe disposed between the upper end of the thread of the lens couplingportion 380 and the lower end of the thread of the lens coupling portion380. In addition, an upper surface of the body portion 310 or an upperplate 510 of the shield can 500 may be disposed between the upper end ofthe thread 711 of the barrel 710 and the lower end of the thread 711 ofthe barrel 710.

The holder 300 may comprise a filter coupling portion 385. The filter800 may be coupled to the filter coupling portion 385. The filtercoupling portion 385 may comprise a groove having a size correspondingto the filter 800. The filter 800 may be inserted into the groove of thefilter coupling portion 385 and fixed with an adhesive. The filtercoupling portion 385 may comprise a ceiling surface with which the uppersurface of the filter 800 is in contact. A third groove 370 may beformed in a ceiling surface of the filter coupling portion 385.

The holder 300 may comprise a fourth groove 391. The fourth groove 391may be formed in the sidewall 312 of the holder 300. The fourth groove391 may be a groove that avoids the coupling portion 530 of the shieldcan 500. The fourth groove 391 may be formed on two side surfaces of theholder 300 that are opposite to each other. In the fourth groove 391, acoupling portion 530 of the shield can 500 and a solder ball 540connecting the coupling portion 530 and the substrate 100 may bedisposed. The fourth groove 391 may comprise a flat surface and a curvedsurface.

The holder 300 may comprise a fifth groove 392. The fifth groove 392 maybe formed on an upper surface of the body portion 310 of the holder 300.The fifth groove 392 may comprise a plurality of grooves. The fifthgroove 392 may comprise six grooves. The fifth groove 392 may be a pushpin groove generated by a push pin during a process of injection moldingthe holder 300 and separating it from the mold.

The camera module may comprise a diffuser lens module 400. The diffuserlens module 400 may comprise a diffuser lens 410 and a diffuser ring420. The diffuser lens module 400 may be integrally formed as in themodified embodiment, but in the present embodiment, the diffuser lens410 and the diffuser ring 420 may be separately manufactured to increasemoldability during injection molding. The diffuser lens 410 and thediffuser ring 420 may be separated from each other.

The camera module may comprise a diffuser lens 410. The diffuser lens410 may be disposed in the holder 300. The diffuser lens 410 may becoupled to the holder 300. The diffuser lens 410 may be fixed to theholder 300. The diffuser lens 410 may be disposed on an optical path oflight emitted from the light source 200. The diffuser lens 410 may bedisposed on the light source 200. The diffuser lens 410 may be disposedon the light source 2000. The diffuser lens 410 may be a plasticinjection product. The diffuser lens 410 may be formed by plasticinjection. The height of the upper end of the diffuser lens 410 maycorrespond to the height of the upper end of the lens 700. The diffuserlens 410 may be disposed at a height corresponding to the first to thirdlenses 701, 702, and 703 disposed above the lens 700. The diffuser lens410 may be inserted in the upward direction among the verticaldirections to be coupled to the holder 300. In this case, the upwarddirection may be a direction from the lower portion of the holder 300toward the upper portion of the holder 300. A portion of the diffuserlens 410 may be overlapped with the holder 300 in an upward direction.

In the present embodiment, a portion of the diffuser lens 410 may bedisposed between the holder 300 and the diffuser ring 420 in a verticaldirection. At this time, the vertical direction may be the z-axisdirection. In more detail, a portion of the diffuser lens 410 may bedisposed between the stopping protrusion 330 of the holder 300 and thediffuser ring 420 in a vertical direction. In this case, a portion ofthe diffuser lens 410 may be overlapped with the holder 300 and thediffuser ring 420 in a vertical direction. Meanwhile, the diffuser lens410 may be coupled by being inserted from the lower side of the holder300. In this case, the diffuser lens 410 is caught by the holder 300,thereby inhibiting from being upwardly removed off, and since it issupported by the diffuser ring 420, a phenomenon of being downwardlyremoved off can also be inhibited. That is, the upper end of thediffuser lens 410 may be in contact with the holder 300 and the lowerend of the diffuser lens 410 may be fixed by being contacted with thediffuser ring 420. Further, a separate adhesive may fix the diffuserlens 410 to the holder 300. The size of the diffuser lens 410 may belarger than the opening of the stopping protrusion 330 of the holder300. The upper surface of the diffuser lens 410 may be larger than thesize of the opening of the stopping protrusion 330 of the holder 300.The diffuser lens 410 may comprise a first portion being overlapped withthe stopping protrusion 330 in a vertical direction and a second portionbeing overlapped with the opening in a vertical direction.

The diffuser lens 410 may comprise a lens unit 411. The lens unit 411may be disposed on an optical path of a light emitted from the lightsource 200. The light passing through the lens unit 411 may have arectangular cross section.

The diffuser lens 410 may comprise a flange portion 412. The flangeportion 412 may be disposed on the outer circumference of the lensportion 411. The flange portion 412 may be integrally formed with thelens portion 411. The flange portion 412 may be fixed to the barrelportion 320 of the holder 300. The flange portion 412 may be fixed tothe diffuser ring 420. The flange portion 412 may be supported by thediffuser ring 420. The flange portion 412 may be fixed to the innercircumferential surface of the barrel portion 320 of the holder 300 byan adhesive.

The diffuser lens 410 may comprise a plane 413. The plane 413 may bereferred to as a guide portion. The diffuser lens 410 may comprise aplurality of planes 413. The diffuser lens 410 may comprise four planes413. At this time, the four planes 413 may be disposed on opposite sidesof each other. In addition, the four planes 413 may be disposedsymmetrically. The four planes 413 may comprise a first plane, a secondplane disposed opposite the first plane, and a third plane and a fourthplane disposed on opposite sides between the first plane and the secondplane. The areas of the first and second planes may be smaller than theareas of the third and fourth planes. That is, the length of the firstand second planes in the horizontal direction may be smaller than thelength of the third and fourth planes in the horizontal direction.However, a cross-section of a shape formed by meeting virtual planesextending each of the first and second planes and virtual planesextending each of the third and fourth planes may be square. That is,the length of the curved surface may be long on the side where the firstand second planes are disposed. In the present embodiment, erroneousinsertion can be inhibited in the process of inserting the diffuser lens410 into the holder 300 through a feature having different lengthsand/or areas between planes. The protruding portion 414 may be disposedin portions corresponding to the third and fourth planes.

The diffuser lens 410 may comprise a protruding portion 414. Theprotruding portion 414 may be a gate protruding portion. However, theprotruding portion 414 may be a protrusion irrelevant to the gate. Theprotruding portion 414 may be generated in a process of injectionmolding the diffuser lens 410. The protruding portion 414 may bedisposed in the groove 323 of the barrel portion 320. The protrudingportion 414 may comprise a protrusion. The lower surface of theprotruding portion 414 may be disposed on the same surface as the lowersurface of the diffuser lens 410.

The diffuser lens 410 may comprise a micro lens array 415. The diffuserlens 410 may comprise a plurality of micro lenses. The micro lens array415 may comprise a plurality of micro lenses. The plurality of microlenses may be disposed on the lower surface of the lens portion 411 ofthe diffuser lens 410 at equal intervals. The plurality of micro lensesmay have the same shape. However, the micro lenses at a portion adjacentto the flange portion 412 may have some different shapes. The curvatureof each of the micro lenses may be in a micro numerical range.

In the present embodiment, the effective sensing area of the sensor 600may be rectangular and the lens portion 411 of the diffuser lens 410 maybe approximately square. Accordingly, each of the plurality of microlenses may have different curvatures in the x-axis direction and they-axis direction. Through such a structure, a light passing through thediffuser lens 410 may have a rectangular cross section.

The diffuser lens 410 may comprise an adhesive accommodating portion416. The adhesive accommodating portion 416 may be formed on the lowersurface of the flange portion 412 of the diffuser lens 410. The adhesiveaccommodating portion 416 may be connected to the outer circumference ofthe flange portion 412 of the diffuser lens 410. The adhesiveaccommodating portion 416 may be recessed from the outer circumferenceof the flange portion 412 of the diffuser lens 410. In the presentembodiment, an adhesive fixing the diffuser lens 410 to the holder 300may be disposed in the adhesive accommodating portion 416 of the flangeportion 412 of the diffuser lens 410. Some of the adhesive applied tothe adhesive accommodating portion 416 may flow between the outercircumferential surface of the flange portion 412 of the diffuser lens410 and the inner circumferential surface of the barrel portion 320. Theadhesive accommodating portion 416 may comprise a plurality of grooves.The adhesive accommodating portion 416 may comprise four grooves.However, the adhesive accommodating portion 416 has a recessedconfiguration compared to the protrusion 417, and the protrusion 417 isprotruded from the lower surface of the flange portion 412 of thediffuser lens 410, and the adhesive accommodating portion 416 may beformed by the lower surface of the flange portion 412 of the diffuserlens 410.

The diffuser lens 410 may comprise a protrusion 417. The protrusion 417may be formed by being protruded from a portion of the lower surface ofthe flange portion 412. The protrusion 417 may have a ring shape. Theprotrusion 417 may be a rectangular ring, a circular ring, or apolygonal ring. The protrusion 417 may be formed on an innercircumferential surface on a lower surface of the diffuser lens 410. Theprotrusion 417 may be understood as being protruded from a lower surfaceof the diffuser lens 410, or may be understood as the remaining portionin which the adhesive accommodating portion 416 is formed on a lowersurface of the diffuser lens 410. The protrusion 417 may block aphenomenon in which the adhesive disposed on the adhesive accommodatingportion 416 flows into the lens portion 411. However, a small amount ofthe adhesive may be disposed on the protrusion 417 as well. In thepresent embodiment, a gap may be formed in at least a portion betweenthe diffuser lens 410 and the diffuser ring 420 by the protrusion 417.The protrusion 417 may be formed closer to the inner circumferentialsurface than the outer circumferential surface of the flange portion412.

The camera module may comprise a diffuser ring 420. The diffuser ring420 may be disposed in the holder 300. The diffuser ring 420 may befixed to the holder 300. The diffuser ring 420 may be coupled to theholder 300. The diffuser ring 420 may be disposed accommodating portionthe diffuser lens 410. The diffuser ring 420 may support the diffuserlens 410. The diffuser ring 420 may be in contact with the diffuser lens410. The diffuser ring 420 may be a plastic injection product. Thediffuser ring 420 may be formed by plastic injection.

The diffuser ring 420 may comprise a support portion 421. The supportportion 421 may be in contact with the lower portion of the diffuserlens 410. The support portion 421 may support the flange portion 412 ofthe diffuser lens 410. The upper surface of the support portion 421 maybe in contact with the lower surface of the flange portion 412 of thediffuser lens 410. At least a portion of the support portion 421 may bedisposed in the barrel portion 320 of the holder 300. A portion of thesupport portion 421 may be understood as being disposed within the bodyportion 310 of the holder 300. The size of the support portion 421 inthe horizontal direction may be smaller than the size of the ringportion 422 in the horizontal direction.

In a modified embodiment, the diffuser ring 420 may comprise a recess(not shown) or a groove formed on an upper surface of the supportportion 421 and coupled to the protrusion 417 of the diffuser lens 410.The recess of the diffuser ring 420 and the protrusion 417 of thediffuser lens 410 may have shapes corresponding to each other. However,the depth of the recess of the diffuser ring 420 may be deeper than theheight of the protrusion 417 of the diffuser lens 410. The adhesive maybe disposed in a space formed by a difference between the depth of therecess and the height of the protrusion 417.

The diffuser ring 420 may comprise a ring portion 422. The ring portion422 may be protruded from the outer circumference of the support portion421. In the present embodiment, the size in the horizontal direction ofthe ring portion 422 of the diffuser ring 420 may be larger than thesize in the corresponding direction of the lower end of the barrelportion 320. Through this, the lower end of the barrel portion 320 mayfunction as a stopping protrusion with respect to the upper surface ofthe ring portion 422 of the diffuser ring 420. The ring portion 422 maybe fixed to the holder 300 by an adhesive. The ring portion 422 maycomprise a flat surface. The plane of the ring portion 422 may be insurface contact with the protrusion 315.

The diffuser ring 420 may comprise a protruding portion 423. Theprotruding portion 423 may be a gate protruding portion. However, theprotruding portion 423 may be a protrusion irrelevant to the gate. Theprotruding portion 423 may be generated in a process of injectionmolding the diffuser ring 420. The protruding portion 423 may bedisposed in the groove 316 of the holder 300. The protruding portion 423may comprise a protrusion. The protruding portion 423 may be protrudedfrom the side surface of the ring portion 422 toward the side direction.The protruding portion 423 may be protruded from the upper surface ofthe ring portion 422 toward the upward direction.

The diffuser ring 420 may comprise a protrusion 424. The protrusion 424may be formed on an upper surface of the ring portion 422. Theprotrusion 424 may be spaced apart from the upper surface or the ceilingsurface of the holder 300. However, in the modified embodiment, theprotrusion 424 may function as an assembly reference surface by beingcontacted with an upper surface or a ceiling surface of the holder 300.

In the present embodiment, the protruding portion 414 of the diffuserlens 410 and the protruding portion 414 of the diffuser ring 420 may bedisposed to correspond to each other in a vertical direction. Also, theholder 300 may comprise corresponding grooves 316 and 323. Through this,erroneous insertion of the diffuser lens 410 and the diffuser ring 420in the wrong direction may be inhibited.

In a modified embodiment, the camera module may comprise a diffuser lens400 a that replaces the diffuser lens module 400. The diffuser lens 400a of the modified embodiment may have a form in which the diffuser lens410 and the diffuser ring 420 of the present embodiment are integrallyformed. However, a shape of a portion of the diffuser lens 400 a of themodified embodiment may be different from the shape of a portion of thediffuser lens 410 and the diffuser ring 420 of the present embodiment.The diffuser lens 400 a may be a plastic injection product. The diffuserlens 400 a may be formed by plastic injection.

The diffuser lens 400 a may comprise a lens portion 410 a. The lensportion 410 a of the modified embodiment may correspond to the lensportion 411 of the present embodiment. The diffuser lens 400 a maycomprise a flange portion 420 a. The flange portion 420 a of themodified embodiment may correspond to the flange portion 412 of thepresent embodiment and the support portion 421 of the diffuser ring 420.The diffuser lens 400 a may comprise a ring portion 430 a. The ringportion 430 a of the modified embodiment may correspond to the ringportion 422 of the present embodiment. The diffuser lens 400 a maycomprise a protrusion 440 a. The protrusion 440 a may be a gategenerated in the process of injection molding the diffuser lens 400 a.In the present embodiment, a gate protrusion generated by injectionmolding is formed on each of the diffuser lens 410 and the diffuser ring420, but only one gate protrusion may be formed in the modifiedembodiment. The diffuser lens 400 a may comprise a protrusion 450 a. Theprotrusion 450 a may be formed on an upper surface of the ring portion430 a. The angle of the inclined surface of the flange portion 420 a maybe steeper than the angle of the inclined surface of the barrel 710. Theprotrusion 450 a may function as an assembly reference surface by beingcontacted with an upper surface or a ceiling surface of the holder 300.

Compared with the present embodiment, the modified embodiment has anadvantage that the process is simple and the manufacturing cost can belowered. However, the present embodiment has an advantage of having abetter moldability of the diffuser lens formed by plastic injectioncompared to the modified embodiment. In particular, in the case of thepresent embodiment, there is an advantage in that the shrinkage ratio isalmost the same in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction.

The camera module may comprise a shield can 500. The shield can 500 maycover the body 310 of the holder 300. The shield can 500 may comprise acover. The shield can 500 may comprise a cover can. The shield can 500may be a non-magnetic material. The shield can 500 may be formed of ametal material. The shield can 500 may be formed of a metal plate. Theshield can 500 may be electrically connected to the substrate 100. Theshield can 500 may be connected to the substrate 100 through a solderball 540. Through this, the shield can 500 may be grounded. The shieldcan 500 may block electromagnetic interference (EMI). In this case, theshield can 500 may be referred to as ‘EMI shield can’. In the presentembodiment, as a high voltage is used inside the optical device, theelectromagnetic interference noise may increase. The shield can 500 mayblock the electromagnetic interference noise.

The shield can 500 may comprise an upper plate 510 and a side plate 520.The shield can 500 may comprise an upper plate 510 and a side plate 520being downwardly extended from the upper plate 510. The shield can 500may comprise an upper plate 510 disposed on the holder 300, and a sideplate 520 being downwardly extended from an outer circumference or anedge of the upper plate 510. The upper plate 510 of the shield can 500may comprise a hole or an opening. The upper plate 510 of the shield can500 may comprise a first hole corresponding to the diffuser lens 410 anda second hole corresponding to the lens 700. The upper plate 510 may bedisposed at the same height at the first opening side of the holder 300and the second opening side of the holder 300. The side plate 520 of theshield can 500 may be fixed to the holder 300. The lower end of the sideplate 520 of the shield can 500 may be disposed on the step portion 313of the holder 300. The lower end of the side plate 520 of the shield can500 may be spaced apart from the step portion 313 of the holder 300. Theinner surface of the side plate 520 of the shield can 500 may be fixedto the holder 300 by an adhesive.

The shield can 500 may comprise a coupling portion 530. The couplingportion 530 may be a ground terminal. The shield can 500 may comprise acoupling portion 530 formed by cutting a portion of the side plate 520.The coupling portion 530 may be integrally formed with the side plate520 and the upper plate 510. The coupling portion 530 may beelectrically connected to the substrate 100 and the solder ball 540. Thelower end of the coupling portion 530 may be extended below the lowerend of the side plate 520 of the shield can 500. The coupling portion530 may be disposed to be inclined inward with respect to the side plate520. The coupling portion 530 may comprise a plurality of couplingportions. The coupling portion 530 may comprise two coupling portions.The two coupling portion 530 may be biased toward the corner side of theshield can 500 and may be disposed opposite to each other.

The camera module may comprise a sensor 600. The sensor 600 may bedisposed on the substrate 100. The sensor 600 may be disposed on theother side of the partition wall 340 of the holder 300 on the substrate100. That is, the sensor 600 may be disposed on the opposite side of thelight source 200 with respect to the partition wall 340 of the holder300. The sensor 600 may detect infrared rays. The sensor 600 may detectlight of a specific wavelength among infrared rays. The sensor 600 maydetect light passing through the filter 800. The sensor 600 may detectlight in the wavelength band of the light source 200. Through this, thesensor 600 senses light emitted from the light source 200 and reflectedon the subject to sense 3D image information of the subject. Theeffective sensing area of the sensor 600 is disposed to correspond tothe diffuser lens 410, but the sensor 600 may be disposed to be biasedtoward the partition wall 340 as a whole. A circuit pattern of thesensor 600 or the like may be disposed in a portion of the sensor 600that is biased toward the partition wall 340.

The sensor 600 may comprise an effective sensing area. The sensor 600may have a rectangular shape that is long in a first direction and shortin a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. At thistime, the effective sensing area may have a rectangular shape that islong in the second direction and short in the first direction. Theeffective sensing area of the sensor 600 may comprise a long side and ashort side. In this case, the curvature of the micro lens may have asmall curvature in a direction corresponding to a long side of theeffective sensing area of the sensor 600 and a large curvature in adirection corresponding to a short side of the effective sensing area ofthe sensor 600. The surface of the micro lens may be formed steeply in adirection having a small curvature and smoothly formed in a directionhaving a large curvature. In the present embodiment, the micro lens mayhave a small curvature in a direction from the center toward theprotruding portion 423 and a large curvature in a directionperpendicular to the direction toward the protruding portion 423.

The camera module may comprise a lens 700. The lens 700 may be fixedwithin the barrel 710. The lens 700 may be a plastic injection product.The lens 700 may be formed by plastic injection. The lens 700 maycomprise a plurality of lenses. The lens 700 may comprise a total of 5or 6 lenses. The lens 700 may comprise first to fifth lenses 701, 702,703, 704, and 705.

The camera module may comprise a barrel 710. A thread 711 may be formedin the barrel 710. The barrel 710 may be screw-coupled to the holder300. The barrel 710 may comprise a groove 712 formed on an upper surfaceof the barrel 710. The barrel 710 may comprise a step 713 formed on theouter circumferential surface of the barrel 710. The barrel 710 maycomprise a groove 714 formed in an outer circumferential surface of thebarrel 710. The barrel 710 may comprise a curved surface 715 formedbelow the thread 711 on the outer circumferential surface of the barrel710.

The camera module may comprise a filter 800. The filter 800 may bedisposed between the lens 700 and the sensor 600. The filter 800 may bea band pass filter that passes light of a specific wavelength band. Thefilter 800 may pass infrared rays. The filter 800 may pass light of aspecific wavelength among infrared rays. The filter 800 may pass lightin a wavelength band of light emitted by the light source 200. Thefilter 800 may block visible light. The filter 800 may be coupled to theholder 300. A groove having a size corresponding to the filter 800 isformed in the holder 300, and the filter 800 may be inserted into thegroove and fixed with an adhesive. An adhesive injection groove forinjecting an adhesive between the filter 800 and the holder 300 may beformed together in the groove of the holder 300. The filter 800 may bedisposed at a position lower than the position of the diffuser ring 420.

The camera module may comprise an FPCB 910. The FPCB 910 may connect thesubstrate 100 and the connector 920. The camera module may comprise aconnector 920. The connector 920 may be connected to an externalcomponent of the optical device.

The adhesives described in the present and modified embodiments maycomprise epoxy.

The camera module can be packaged to be delivered in an assembled state.That is, a packaging member (protection member) for inhibiting damage tothe optical device may be additionally provided. In the presentembodiment, the packaging member cab 940 and tape 930 may be removedduring installation in an optical apparatus.

The camera module may comprise a cab 940. The cab 940 may cover allconfigurations of the diffuser lens 410 and the lens 700 comprising theholder 300 and the shield can 500. Through this, it is possible toinhibit a phenomenon in which the protruding barrel portion 320 and thelike is damaged.

The camera module may comprise a tape 930. The tape 930 may be disposedon an upper surface of the cab 940. The tape 930 may inhibit foreignsubstances from penetrating into the optical device through the hole ofthe cab 940.

Hereinafter, the assembly process of a camera module according to thepresent embodiment will be described.

First, the barrel 710 to which the diffuser lens 410 and the lens 700are coupled is coupled to the holder 300. Thereafter, the shield can 500is coupled to the holder 300 by an adhesive. Thereafter, an adhesive isapplied between the diffuser lens 410 and the holder 300. Thereafter,the diffuser ring 420 is inserted into the holder 300 and an adhesive isapplied between the diffuser ring 420 and the holder 300. Thereafter,the filter 800 is coupled to the holder 300 by an adhesive. Throughthis, the housing assembly is completed.

Meanwhile, the substrate 100, the FPCB 910, and the connector 920 areintegrally prepared in an RFPCB state. Thereafter, the VCSEL as thelight source 200 is adhered to the upper surface of the substrate 100.Thereafter, the sensor 600 is coupled to the upper surface of thesubstrate 100 by being spaced apart from the light source 200.Thereafter, wire bonding is performed between the substrate 100 and thesensor 600. Thereafter, the housing assembly assembled above is mountedon the upper surface of the substrate 100. Thereafter, auto soldering isperformed on the coupling portion 530 of the shield can 500 and thesubstrate 100. Thereafter, the lens 700 is rotated according to thescrew thread to focus (auto focusing). Thereafter, when the focusing isobtained, an adhesive is applied between the lens 700 and the holder300. Thereafter, the setting of the light source 200 is adjusted throughthe Tx Tester. Thereafter, the light emitting module and the lightreceiving module are operated together to calibrate and adjust settings.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above withreference to the accompanying drawings, but a person skilled in the artto which the present invention belongs may understand that the presentinvention can be implemented in other specific forms without changingthe technical spirit or essential features. Therefore, it should beunderstood that the embodiments described above are illustrative andnon-limiting in all respects.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A light emitting module comprising: asubstrate; a light source disposed above the substrate and emittinglaser light; a holder disposed above the substrate; a diffuser lensdisposed in the holder and disposed above the light source; and adiffuser ring disposed between the diffuser lens and the light source,wherein the diffuser lens comprises a plurality of micro lenses, andwherein the holder comprise an opening formed above the diffuser lensand a stopping protrusion configured to inhibit the diffuser lens frombeing separated through the opening.
 2. The light emitting module ofclaim 1, wherein an upper surface of the diffuser lens is greater insize than a size of the opening.
 3. The light emitting module of claim1, wherein at least a portion of the opening is defined by at least aportion of the stopping protrusion.
 4. The light emitting module ofclaim 1, wherein the diffuser ring comprises a support portioncontacting with a lower portion of the diffuser lens and a ring portionprotruding from an outer periphery of the support portion.
 5. The lightemitting module of claim 4, wherein the diffuser lens comprises a lensportion and a flange portion disposed on an outer periphery of the lensportion.
 6. The light emitting module of claim 5, wherein the diffuserlens comprises a protrusion protruding from a portion of a lower surfaceof the flange portion.
 7. The light emitting module of claim 6, whereinthe protrusion has a ring shape.
 8. The light emitting module of claim6, wherein a gap is formed in at least a portion between the diffuserlens and the diffuser ring by the protrusion.
 9. The light emittingmodule of claim 6, wherein the protrusion is formed adjacent to an innerperipheral surface than an outer peripheral surface of the flangeportion.
 10. The light emitting module of claim 1, wherein a portion ofthe diffuser lens is disposed between the diffuser ring and the stoppingprotrusion of the holder in a vertical direction.
 11. The light emittingmodule of claim 1, wherein the diffuser lens comprises a protrudingportion protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the diffuserlens, and wherein the holder comprises a first groove accommodating atleast a portion of the protruding portion of the diffuser lens.
 12. Thelight emitting module of claim 11, wherein the diffuser ring comprises aprotruding portion protruding from an outer peripheral surface of thediffuser ring, and wherein the holder comprises a second grooveaccommodating at least a portion of the protruding portion of thediffuser ring.
 13. The light emitting module of claim 12, wherein atleast a portion of the protruding portion of the diffuser ring isoverlapped with the protruding portion of the diffuser lens in avertical direction.
 14. A camera module comprising: the light emittingmodule of claim 1; a sensor disposed on the substrate; and a lenscoupled with the holder and disposed above the sensor, wherein theholder comprises a partition wall, and wherein the light source isdisposed at one side of the partition wall and the sensor is disposed atan other side of the partition wall.
 15. An optical apparatuscomprising: a main body; the camera module of claim 14, disposed on themain body; and a display disposed on the main body outputting aninformation captured by the camera module.
 16. A camera modulecomprising: a substrate; a holder comprising a partition wall anddisposed above the substrate; a light source disposed at one side of thepartition wall above the substrate and emitting laser light; a sensordisposed above the substrate at the other side of the partition wall; alens coupled to the holder and disposed above the sensor; a diffuserlens coupled to the holder and disposed above the light source; and adiffuser ring disposed between the diffuser lens and the light source,wherein the diffuser lens comprises a plurality of micro lenses, andwherein the holder comprises an opening formed above the diffuser lensand a stopping protrusion configured to inhibit the diffuser lens frombeing separated through the opening.
 17. The camera module of claim 16,wherein a portion of the diffuser lens is disposed between the diffuserring and the stopping protrusion of the holder in a vertical direction.18. The camera module of claim 16, wherein the diffuser ring comprises asupport portion contacting with a lower portion of the diffuser lens anda ring portion protruding from an outer periphery of the supportportion, and wherein the diffuser lens comprises a lens portion, aflange portion disposed on an outer periphery of the lens portion, and aprotrusion protruding from a portion of a lower surface of the flangeportion.
 19. The camera module of claim 16, wherein the diffuser lenscomprises a protruding portion protruding from an outer peripheralsurface of the diffuser lens, wherein the diffuser ring comprises aprotruding portion protruding from an outer peripheral surface of thediffuser ring, and wherein at least a portion of the protruding portionof the diffuser ring is overlapped with the protruding portion of thediffuser lens in a vertical direction.
 20. A light emitting modulecomprising: a substrate; a light source disposed above the substrate andemitting laser light: a holder disposed above the substrate; a diffuserlens disposed in the holder and disposed above the light source; and adiffuser ring disposed between the diffuser lens and the light source,wherein the diffuser lens comprises a plurality of micro lenses, andwherein a portion of the diffuser lens is disposed between the diffuserring and a stopping protrusion of the holder in a vertical direction.